ESA/STAT/AC.161/Co.1 Coordination of social statistics at national and international levels Thoughts for discussion Rosemary Bender, Statistics Canada UN Expert Group Meeting on the Scope and Content of Social Statistics New York Sept 9-12, 2008

Session Papers Social Statistics in China, Liu Wei and Xin Jia, National Bureau of Statistics of China Improving Social Statistics in the Philippines through Effective Coordination, Lina V. Castro, National Statistical Coordination Board, Philippines Coordination mechanisms, Good practices, Areas requiring improvement, Jogesware Dash, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, India

Components of Social Statistics Population Groups e.g., youth, elderly, special groups Social Concerns e.g., family, health, education, work, housing, crime, culture Statistical Data e.g., concepts, definitions, classifications Data Collection e.g., administrative records, censuses, surveys Dissemination of Information e.g., informed development and evaluation of social policy, education, specialized research, general public

Components of National Statistical Systems To differing extents, they comprise National Statistics Organization National departmental authorities Regional and local statistical organizations To differing extents, they collect Administrative data Censuses Surveys Thus…..

… there is a need for coordination Role of National Statistical Organization Coordination of national social statistics (e.g. national system of social indicators) Developing and promoting national standards and classifications for social statistics Research and training (e.g., conducting surveys, statistical techniques) Mechanisms Consultations Statistical conferences, seminars, workshops Joint working groups Training sessions

International coordination of social statistics also very much in force… International collaboration drawn from papers but a sample UNSD, UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNFPA, UNPD, UNESCAP, WHO, World Bank, bilateral cooperation with other countries … UNSD Expert Groups include United Nations Demographic Yearbook System Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses Measuring International Migration Census Mapping and Geographic Information Systems Measuring Economically Active Population in Censuses Development of Gender Statistics

International plan of action on social statistics What areas are in need of international guidelines How does one take into account national and local social development plans? What are the critical components of a successful plan of action? Possible examples for discussion Work must be pragmatic, focused and include short term tangible, realizable deliverables A number of member countries must take an active role The roles of international organizations and participating member countries must be well defined. What can be learned from other international task forces and city groups?

Discussion